Passengers warned of major disruption as DLR strike looks set to go ahead

Image: TfLDocklands Light Railway passengers are being urged to plan ahead and avoid any unnecessary journeys after talks to avoid a strike scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday broke down.

Staff belonging to the RMT Union voted to stage a 48 hour walkout following a dispute with DLR operator KeolisAmey Docklands over the treatment of agency staff and what the union describes as a “culture of bullying and intimidation”.

Last week RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Our members on DLR are furious at the way that Keolis/Amey are trying to bulldoze in some of the worst working practices and conditions that we associate with the operations of the most cheapskate and anti-union companies in the transport sector and that anger is reflected in these ballot results.

“We will not sit back and allow this aggressive and bullying culture to develop on this key part of London’s transport network.”

The walkout will start at 03:59 am on Tuesday 3 November and end at 03:58am on Thursday 5 November and Transport for London says it’s “unlikely” any DLR services will operate during those times.

Although all other TfL services will be operating as usual, passengers are being warned that the strike will see demand increase and that some stations, including Stratford, Canary Wharf and Canada Water, “will be exceptionally busy.”

Additional buses will run on “key routes” along the DLR network and a limited replacement bus services will operate at key locations to connect DLR customers to the Tube network.

Rory O’Neill, TfL’s Director of DLR, said: “TfL bus, Tube and rail services will be operating as normal, extra buses will run on key routes and staff will be available to help. Customers are advised to use our website to plan ahead.

“As other TfL services, particularly in east London are likely to be busier than normal, we ask customers who are able to consider avoiding the busiest times if they can.”

TfL says staff will be on hand to provide travel advice and suggests passengers visit www.tfl.gov.uk for up-to-date information and checks its Twitter accounts for travel alerts.